"It is very important to maintain contacts and ensure that pressing issues are discussed," Russian Foreign Minister said at the beginning of talks with Japanese top diplomat Fumio Kishida

TOKYO, March 20. /TASS/. Moscow and Tokyo need to adopt common approaches towards global and regional issues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the beginning of talks with Japanese top diplomat Fumio Kishida.

"It is very important to maintain contacts and ensure that pressing issues are discussed," Lavrov said. "It is important for us, so that we can control the implementation of agreements reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Tokyo in December 2016."

"This afternoon, we will hold a new two-plus-two meeting," the Russian top diplomat added. "I believe that it is a very timely event because we have many global and regional issues to consider, it is important that we discuss our positions and adopt common approaches."

Besides that, Lavrov emphasized the need to discuss bilateral issues including the schedule of high-level contacts. "We have many plans concerning economy, culture and humanitarian exchanges," he added.

"Of course, it will be very helpful to hear our deputies’ report on their March 18 meeting on arranging joint economic activities on the South Kuril Islands which is in line with our efforts aimed at signing a peace treaty," Lavrov noted. "We are ready to work.".